Paris- Thanx God I'm a VIP

Thank god I found this shop. I stumbled across it in an Internet search last time I was in Paris for work. The reason why Thanx God I'm a VIP is so good, is that it has a real point of view, is extremely organized(by color), and has a wide selection at a wide range of price points. Sure there is stuff that's over 100 euro, but I would say most stuff here hits in a sweet spot of 125-300 euro.  

They are located in a neighborhood sort of above the Marais, at 12 rue de Lancry, at the Republic stop on the subway.  Plan to walk around a little, there are a few other vintage shops between here and the Marais.

Thanx God is a pretty large store. There are two separate doors and store fronts next to each other. When you're facing it, on the left is women's and on the right is men's.

The windows are currently decorated with a nautical theme. 

This is in the front of the store on the women's side. It is on the back wall. Again, they have sort of standard French designers like Guy Laroche and Yves Saint Laurent.

This is on the right side of the front room. The cash register is on the left, and there are cases with jewelry and belts in the middle. 

Also in the front room.

Once you leave the front room, on the left there is a narrow corridor with more clothes leading you to the back room. Here, you have mostly white, black, and neutrals, while the front room is colorful. I really wanted the black, white, and red Prada skirt to work for me, but it was a size 44. At 150 euros, whoever gets it is lucky!

This is the neutral section, at the very back of the store. It is right in front of the fitting rooms. 

This section is where you find mostly expensive designer items and colorful coats. I really wanted to make the Leonard lurex printed dress work, but at over 1000 euro, sadly, I could not. 

Those coats I was talking about. 

This rack is on the other side of the shop. It is mostly longer dresses, in a more casual style.

Some more neutral shoes towards the back of the shop. 

A small selection of children's clothing

This is on the right of the shop,  behind all the men's clothing. I think the way they differentiate what to put over here, versus the other side, is that it's not from designers I have heard of. It's still nice though!

Looking towards the front of the store

This is one half of a skirt suit, that I really liked the print. Unfortunately, it didn't fit me. It was priced under 100 euro. 

Pretty orange Louis Féraud silk dress at 240 euros. 

This blush embroidered fit and flare dress was too small for me, but at 155 euros, could be good for someone else! 

Love the color and the fringe! 

Cute white Cacharel ruffle top. 

Loved this pleated silk dress from Just Cavalli

Thanx God I'm a VIP is a great store for those looking for wearable, good quality, vintage and modern designer pieces, at a good price. It's an easy place to shop, because it's so well organized and there are always new items to check out!

Nashville - UAL

My trip to the country music capital started with a trip to the UAL(that's short for United Apparel Liquidators). The UAL is a regional chain that is located only in the South. It is a designer clothing liquidator, which means that small shops will sell them their unsold stock. They get a range of high end designers(they keep this in their "couture section), as well as ones that would be classified as contemporary(meaning a little less expensive and usually more casual). There are two UAL in Nashville. I only went to the older location in Centenial Park, which supposedly has a more high end selection. 

The UAL is located in a strip mall within the city. There isn't much else of interest right nearby. 

Here I am outside(as you can see I'm pretty excited!) 

As soon as you enter UAL, the cheaper items are towards the front. They tend to have more of these, in multiple sizes and sometimes colors. Men's is on the right, though I wholly ignored that area. Shoes are just behind men's. It was a pretty small selection, though very well priced. Designer, which they call couture is on the left by the register. Jewelery is kept at the register. Extra discounted merchandise is just behind the designer section. Home is all the way in the back. 

This is the very front of the store, nothing so exciting here! 

This is towards the front of the store still,  but there is some designer mixed in. I saw Marni, Saint Laurent, Harvey Faircloth, and Carven on this rack, just to name a few.

This is a pretty hefty denim selection. 

This Dolce & Gabbana mini dress with gold leather appliqué is of my favorites of all time!  I remember seeing it a year or so back in the Barney's catalogue and loving it ever since!

Not sure who designed the teal jacquard dress on the wall, but I'm obsessed! 

The lovely Dolce again

This Sonia by Sonia Rykiel tee shirt is really special. It has a lace yoke and a velvet swallow appliqué. It is marked down from 490$ to 147$.

Simone Rocha is a British designer, who is sold at shops like Dover Street Market. I found this great white mesh sheath dress with floral embroidery and crochet trim. I forgot to take a photo of the tag, but I do remember it was less than 300$. Usually this kind of dress would sell for closer to 3000$! 

I love what Hedi Slimane did for Saint Laurent. So many super easy, young dresses! This is one of them and I wish it had been a size 38! In silk chiffon, marked down from 3790$ to 287$. 

Not marked down as much as some of the others, but this Giambattista Valli dress is such a pretty red! 

This gold fil-coupé Lanvin dress was all over their advertising! 

Was tempted by Mary Katrantzou for 128$, but resisted. 

Rochas top- I think this was like 60$. 

Matching skirt at 102$.

Amazing fabric on Mary Katrantzou shorts.

I think this pretty embroidered tulle gown is either Dolce or Valentino

Hand written Duro Olowu dry cleaning tag.

Cool embroidered jacket.

The most amazing knit dress I have ever seen!  This Delpozo work of art is marked down from 8000$, to 706$.

And last, but not least! 

I ended up buying these silver leather Marni sandals for 135$. Deal of the day! 

Would I go back to UAL? Absolutely! It has an unusual selection of discounted designer product. The quality is good, and the prices are good, especially if you like to dig!